Music News

Jennifer Lopez Puts an End to Ben Affleck’s Pop-Star Dreams in Dunkin’s Super Bowl Ad: Watch

Ben Affleck‘s ready to get loud, but Jennifer Lopez isn’t gonna let him do it his way. In Dunkin’s 2024 Super Bowl ad, the Oscar-winning actor-director continues his previously teased efforts to become a pop superstar like his wife, and this time, he’s roped in some seriously A-list help.

The spot picks up where the most recent Dunkin’ game-day ad left off, with Affleck getting some advice on his musical career from Jack Harlow. “I don’t think you should do this,” warns the “Lovin On Me” rapper as he and Affleck sit in a car.

Then, in reference to the coffee and doughnut company’s 2023 ad in which J. Lo rolls up to a Dunkin’ drive-through window helmed by the actor to show him who’s boss, the Boston native responds, “Last year she came to MY work. Now I gotta show her what I can do!”

And that he does … though not as well as he thinks. As Lopez is working on her upcoming album, This Is Me … Now, in the studio, the aspiring musician barges in with Beantown heroes Tom Brady and Matt Damon — all of them dressed in matching bright orange and fuchsia tracksuits emblazoned with the name of the group and a giant crown on the chest. “Here comes the Boston Massacre! The DunKings!” Affleck declares as the group makes its entrance. “Touchdown Tommy on the keys! And he needs no introduction … my partner!”

At his intro, the Jason Bourne star and Affleck’s longtime best bud mutters, “It’s really hard to be your friend, man …”

Affleck’s track — “Don’t Dunk Away at My Heart,” features the lyrics “Don’t dunk away with my heart / Why you Dunkin’ me, girl?” — starts playing as the actor and his backup dancers show off the choreographed moves TikTok star Charli D’Amelio showed him in an earlier teaser.

As the bit ends, J. Lo looks embarrassed from her booth, while Fat Joe pops in to stare with an incredulous look on his face.

“How do you like them … doughnuts,” Damon says, completely dejected. “I’m so sorry.”

“You had to see it, but I forgive you!” Affleck tells his wife, blowing her a kiss before giving her an instruction. “Lay us on the track!”

A horrified Jenny From the Block turns down her husband, who responds with a baseball reference as he walks out: “That’s cold … You’re blinded by them pinstripes! There goes Babe Ruth!”

As Damon and Affleck walk away, the Oppenheimer actor tells his friend, “Remember when I told you I’d do anything for you? This is anything.”

Watch J. Lo’s latest dunk on Ben Affleck in Dunkin’s 2024 Super Bowl ad above.

‘Wicked’ Trailer Starring Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Unveiled During Super Bowl 2024: Watch

Fans tuning into the 2024 Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 11) got a wicked surprise during one of the early commercial breaks. After more than a year since filming started, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s first trailer for the live action adaptation of Wicked was finally unveiled between plays in the first quarter.

In the trailer, Grande stuns as Glinda the Good Witch opposite Erivo’s Elphaba. The two characters’ first meeting is captured in the sneak peek, with the “Positions” singer audibly gasping as she sees the Harriet star and says, “You’re green!”

Snippets of Grande singing “For Good” and Erivo belting out “Defying Gravity” were also included in the minute-long trailer, as are appearances from Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero; Jeff Goldblum, who portrays the Wizard of Oz; and Michelle Yeoh, who stars as Madame Morrible.

Director Jon M. Chu’s live-action adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked — which itself was adapted from the bestselling novel of the same title by Gregory Maguire — was filmed in the U.K. throughout last year, and also features Ethan Slater and Bowen Yang in the cast. The project will arrive in two parts: the first feature-length premiering on Thanksgiving, and the second scheduled for 2025.

In January, the “Yes, And?” musician wrote on Instagram Stories that she was “permanently and preferably intertwined” with Erivo, Chu and the rest of the film’s cast. “i will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with [Glinda],” she added. “there aren’t words quite yet. but. thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness.”

Watch the new Wicked trailer above.

Post Malone Brings Out His Guitar for Stirring ‘America the Beautiful’ Performance at the 2024 Super Bowl

Post Malone shook off his pre-game jitters and delivered a rousing performance of “America the Beautiful” ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday (Feb. 11). With a guitar in tow, Posty showcased his range, hitting myriad high notes.

The multi-hyphenate was among a starry lineup that included pregame performers Reba McEntire and Andra Day. The country icon tackled the national anthem, while Day sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Before his performance, Posty touched on his nervousness in an interview with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis. “Nerve-racking. I’m very nervous, but excited. I’m excited. It’s just fun and super-epic to be able to go out and sing a song so many beautiful artists have sang before. I’m just gonna do my best, just do my best, and give it what I got,” he said.

Posty revealed how his dad helped calm his anxiety leading up to his rendition. “My dad told me, ‘You’ll never make everybody happy, so just be yourself and do your best at everything you do.’ Do it your way and do it with love,” Malone said.

After Malone, McEntire and Day, Usher will be tonight’s grand musical show, as he was named the halftime performer. Following the likes of Beyonce, Dr. Dre and Bruno Mars, to name a few, Usher will look to cement his place in history as one of the more memorable performers in modern history. 

“It will definitely be an event,” he told Billboard of his halftime set. “There are special guests. And I’ve considered new songs. But you know, it’s 12 to 15 minutes. So it’s really hard to determine what moment matters more than others, especially with a new song. But there’s the dance, the wardrobe, the lighting, how long you stay in a song, the fact that the audience may sing along … It’s a lot. So I’m trying my hardest not to overthink it.

Watch Post Malone’s take on “America the Beautiful” above.

Reba McEntire Delivers a Heartfelt Take on ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the 2024 Super Bowl: Watch

Super Bowl LVIII is officially underway, and Reba McEntire helped kick things off on Sunday (Feb. 11) with a heartfelt performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the San Francisco 49ers took on the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL championship.

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With a massive American flag stretched out before her on the field at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the 68-year-old country icon belted out the patriotic lyrics as the players, coaches, Super Bowl attendees and military service members around the world watched the performer, many with tears in their eyes, including the Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones. McEntire delivered her emotion-filled performance dressed as a true country star, rocking a gold blazer and flared pants, accessorized with a big-buckled belt.

As previously noted by her spokesperson, the Super Bowl performance by the Country Music Hall of Fame superstar is particularly nostalgic, as it marks 50 years since she was discovered while singing the national anthem at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary,” McEntire said in a statement at the time of her performance announcement.

McEntire joined Post Malone and Andra Day during the Super Bowl pregame show, during which Post performed a stripped-back, acoustic version of “America the Beautiful” and Day delivered a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Stay tuned in to Billboard.com throughout Super Bowl LVIII for coverage on music moments, the best commercials, Usher’s halftime performance, Taylor Swift updates and so much more.

Andra Day Delivers a Soaring ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ at the 2024 Super Bowl: Watch

Andra Day has officially added herself to a historic line of annual pre-Super Bowl performances by singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the 2024 Super Bowl, this year held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Taking to the field just minutes ahead of this year’s kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, the Grammy winner was joined by six backup singers whose voices — just as the song’s title suggests — empowered her own. “Lift every voice and sing,” she belted, skillfully adding agile runs to various notes, “Till earth and heaven ring/ Ring with the harmonies of liberty.”

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was written by civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson in 1900. The hymn is often referred to as the “Black national anthem” as the “lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans,” and it was “prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s,” according to the NAACP.

Day is just the second Black artist in history to perform the ballad on a Super Bowl field before kickoff, following Sheryl Lee Ralph‘s stunning take on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at State Farm Stadium in 2023. Two years prior, Alicia Keys launched the tradition by singing the anthem in a pre-recorded video that aired during the 2021 Super Bowl broadcast, the year after which Mary Mary did the honors from outside SoFi Stadium.

The “Rise Up” singer’s pre-game performance preceded Post Malone’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” and Reba McEntire’s national anthem. Usher will headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Taylor Swift Has Arrived at the 2024 Super Bowl

Taylor Swift‘s widely talked about arrival to the 2024 Super Bowl from Toyko is here. Baby, let the games begin!

On Sunday (Feb. 11), Swift was shown getting to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium — where the Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers — via a video from CBS. She was joined by friends including “Karma” partner Ice Spice, actress Blake Lively and stylist/designer Ashley Avignone, and Swift’s mother, Andrea.

There to support boyfriend and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Swift paired a red Chiefs bomber jacket (WEAR by Erin Andrews) and her signature red lip with black jeans and a black tank top, and accessorized her sweet Super Bowl look with an “87” necklace and football purse, and heart earrings; 87 is Travis’ jersey number.

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Swift was game-ready with her hair pulled back in a cute ponytail styled with a small braid.

In another clip shared by fans on social media, the pop star was spotted in a suite hugging Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce, who also took a moment to introduce himself to Ice Spice.

Swift rushed from the Tokyo Dome to a private jet at Haneda Airport right after her Feb. 10 show, the Associated Press reported on Saturday. At her Tokyo concerts, Travis Kelce jerseys and hats were spotted among the crowd’s Eras-inspired fashion.

At a press conference on Monday, Travis gushed over his girlfriend’s recent Grammys night, where she took home two awards and surprised viewers with the announcement of a new album, The Tortured Poets Department.

“She’s unbelievable,” Travis gushed. “She’s re-writing the history books herself, and I told her I’d have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with some hardware too.”

While Swift cheers on Kelce from the sidelines, another musical guest will be taking the stage for the Super Bowl Halftime Show presented by Apple Music: R&B icon Usher.

See Swift’s arrival to the 2024 Super Bowl below.

Billy Joel Announces ‘The 100th’ Concert Special Coming to CBS

More than 50 years into his career, Billy Joel will air one of his concerts on a broadcast network for the first time.

The singer-songwriter’s The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time concert special was announced in a promotional spot on CBS on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 11).

The special is scheduled to be filmed on March 28, which will mark Joel’s 100th consecutive performance at the iconic New York City venue. His first gig at Madison Square Garden was on Dec. 14, 1978.

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It’s set to air on Sunday, April 14 from 9 to 11 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The special will also be available to stream live or on demand in the United States for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers; Paramount+ Essential subscribers will have access to watch it on demand in the U.S. the day after its debut.

The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time — directed by Paul Dugdale and executive produced by Steve Cohen, Barry Ehrmann and Paul Dugdale — is a co-production of Sony Music Entertainment and Enliven Entertainment, with Sony Music Vision as the distributor.

Joel recently released his first new single in 17 years, “Turn the Lights Back On,” and performed it live for the first time at the 2024 Grammys.

The song — penned by by Joel, Arthur Bacon, Wayne Hector and Freddy Wexler — blasted onto Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart, debuting at No. 11 after just one day of airplay.

“The melody, the chords, the chord progression, even the time signature was something that struck me immediately, and that’s how I relate to music,” Joel said earlier this month on Audacy Check In, recalling when he first heard the song co-writer Wexler had started working on. “This particular lyric in this song, I’ve had these thoughts, I could have written these lyrics verbatim. I’ve chewed on these words and I’ve thought of these words, and I’ve said these words before. It was all kind of falling into place — and who am I to fight that?”

The Piano Man is slated to perform at select stadiums around the U.S. with Stevie Nicks and Sting in between his ongoing residency at Madison Square Garden. See his 2024 tour dates here.

‘Freshly Independent’ Paramore Named 2024 Record Store Day Ambassador

Paramore has been named ambassador for Record Store Day 2024.

The trio of Hayley Williams, Taylor York and Zac Farro took to social media on Saturday (Feb. 10) to announce the exciting news and note that the group is now “freshly independent” and ready to “continue to have a long career in the music industry.”

“After a long career in the music industry we have decided to announce that… we are going to continue to have a long career in the music industry (sorry for any inconvenience),” Paramore wrote on Instagram. “Our first order of business as a freshly independent Paramore is to shine a light on independent record stores — a vital part of our journey from music obsessed school friends to professional music makers. With that being said, we are humbled to be your Ambassadors for Record Store Day 2024. The timing feels kismet.”

Earlier this year, Paramore game some fans a scare after unexpectedly pulling out of numerous live performances, wiping their website and social media accounts, and teasing their “next era.” As previously reported, the band’s 20-year contract with Atlantic Records expired in December 2023 with This Is Why, allowing the act to become a free agent.

The group added on Saturday, “The discovery of music was always meant to be romantic. Indie record shops are some of the only spaces we’ve got that offer a tangible, tactile experience of music discovery. In this world that feels more disconnected and hostile than ever, it feels important to remain in touch (literally) with what inspires us, empowers us, or simply brings us joy. Thankfully, for all our sakes, there still survives among the chaos, the purity and radical simplicity of a great record store.”

This year’s Record Store Day is scheduled for April 20. Past ambassadors have included Taylor Swift, St. Vincent, Metallica, Pearl Jam and Jack White, among others.

Paramore won their first two Grammys at this year’s ceremony on Feb. 4. The group took home best rock album and best alternative music performance for This Is Why and its title track, respectively.

“First off, infinite thanks to our fans, our team and the voting academy for making This Is Why such a moment for us, 20 years into our career. Our band won two Grammys last night, sitting together in Zac’s living room, dressed in our regular clothes (yes, we saw the empty red carpet meme),” the trio wrote on Instagram. “Turns out, our win for best rock album was a historic feat as we are the first female-fronted band to every take home a trophy for this category. Ridiculous yet true! It’s an honor for Paramore to be a small but constant reminder for people to keep pushing these rock and alternative spaces to be more inclusive.”

They added, “Some of you will know that This Is Why was our last album for our deal with Atlantic Records. To finish anything well is something to be proud of. Thank you to anyone who supported the ethos of Paramore as much as the music.”

Paramore released their sixth studio album, This Is Why, in February of last year, scoring their highest-charting album in nearly a decade with a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200. The album was the band’s first since After Laughter was released in May 2017; it debuted and peaked at No. 6. The band’s last album to go higher was its self-titled 2013 release, which debuted at No. 1 on the April 27, 2013-dated list.

See Paramore’s Record Store Day 2024 announcement on Instagram below.

Donald Trump Comments on Taylor Swift Endorsing Joe Biden for President, Feelings About Travis Kelce

Donald Trump is sharing his thoughts on who Taylor Swift should support in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

The former commander-in-chief took to Truth Social ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday (Feb. 11) to express his arguments about why the pop superstar should support him as he potentially faces off against Joe Biden for president this November.

“I signed and was responsible for the Music Modernization Act for Taylor Swift and all other Musical Artists,” Trump began his post. “Joe Biden didn’t do anything for Taylor, and never will. There’s no way she could endorse Crooked Joe Biden, the worst and most corrupt President in the History of our Country, and be disloyal to the man who made her so much money.”

In 2018, then-President Trump signed into law the MMA, which alters the way songwriters and music publishers are paid certain royalties.

“The Music Modernization Act closes loopholes in our digital royalties laws to ensure that songwriters, artists and producers receive fair payment for licensing of music,” Trump said at the time of signing. “I’ve been reading about this for many years and never thought I’d be involved in it, but I got involved in it. They were treated very unfairly. They’re not going to be treated unfairly anymore.”

In his Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump also offered some complimentary words for Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, who’s facing off against the San Francisco 49ers at the 2024 Super Bowl at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

“Besides that, I like her boyfriend, Travis, even though he may be a Liberal, and probably can’t stand me!”

In October 2020, Swift revealed through Twitter (now X) that she would be voting for Biden for president in the U.S. general election. At the time, the singer-songwriter also expressed her opposition of Trump, including his comments on Black Lives Matter protestors in Minnesota and his handling of funding for the U.S. Postal Service.

“The change we need most is to elect a president who recognizes that people of color deserve to feel safe and represented, that women deserve the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves to be acknowledged and included,” Swift told V Magazine for the publication’s “The Thought Leaders Issue.”

“Everyone deserves a government that takes global health risks seriously and puts the lives of its people first. The only way we can begin to make things better is to choose leaders who are willing to face these issues and find ways to work through them.”

Earlier this year, Trump offered his thoughts on Swift and Kelce’s rumored romance. During an interview with the Daily Caller, the former president was asked for his take on the possible romance between the pop superstar and Kansas City Chiefs tight end.

“I wish the best for both of them. I hope they enjoy their life, maybe together, maybe not — most likely not,” Trump said during the sit-down, which was published Sept. 29.

Adele Defends Taylor Swift Attending NFL Games Ahead of 2024 Super Bowl

Adele is sticking up for Taylor Swift.

The British songstress, 35, told her Weekends With Adele audience in Las Vegas on Saturday (Feb. 10) that the pop superstar, 34, has made the NFL “more enjoyable to watch” and defended the singer against those criticizing her attendance at Kansas City Chiefs games in support of boyfriend Travis Kelce.

In a fan-captured video on X (formerly Twitter), Adele is heard addressing her residency crowd at Colosseum at Caesars Palace over the media attention surrounding Swift and Kelce’s highly publicized romance. She also revealed who she wants to win the 2024 Super Bowl, where the Chiefs will face off against the San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (Feb. 11).

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“I think I want the Chiefs to win,” Adele says in the clip, resulting in cheers from the Vegas audience. “And all of you that are complaining about Taylor being at the game, get a f—ing life. It’s her f—ing boyfriend!”

The singer-songwriter added, “It’s actually made it a bit more enjoyable to watch, because like I said I have no idea what’s going on.”

Swift is expected to attend the Super Bowl on Sunday. The 14-time Grammy winner appeared to touch down in Los Angeles Saturday afternoon, according to TMZ, after completing her four-night run from (Feb. 7-10) at the Tokyo Dome in Japan as part of her blockbuster Eras Tour.

Kelce and the “Anti-Hero” singer have taken fans on quite a ride since September 2023, when they first went public with their relationship. Swifties and NFL viewers alike are invested in everything from the pop star’s frequent attendance at Chiefs games to speculation about whether the couple will get engaged soon — something Kelce shut down at another recent press event. 

“I’m focused on getting this [Super Bowl] ring,” he responded to a question about whether a wedding band was in his future. “That’s all my mind is focused on right now.”